Dianne came from a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke is a well known piano and keyboard player and producer.
Dianne and her sister Sharon were raised by their grandmother in Denver, Colorado. As a child Dianne took piano lessons and sang at every opportunity. When she was 11 years old her interest in music was enhanced by an inspiring teacher who thought that music was the best way to bring students together. Dianne discovered a love of music and that she wanted to be a singer.
Her uncle, Charles Burell, a bass player with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, introduced her to the music of jazz singers, from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday. She was especially impressed by Sarah Vaughan.
1974
At the age of sixteen she was singing at the George Washington Highschool in Denver, in a highschool bigband. That same year the band played at a music festival (Convention of the National Association of Jazz Educators). Her Band won first place and it was there she met the trumpeter Clark Terry, who after discovering her became her mentor.
1975
A year later she began studying music at the University of Denver, before she moving in 1976 to Los Angeles. In L.A. her interest in Latin-American music grew, and she began experimenting with different kinds of vocal music and finally decided to pursue a career as a singer. She met Eduardo del Barrio, and she toured with his group "Caldera" and sang in Billy Child's jazz band "Night Flights". Later she tour with Sergio Mendes.
From 1983 until 1986 she toured with Harry Belafonte as a lead singer. This period saw her first experiences with world music. In 1987 she became the first vocalist to sign with Blue Note records. She moved back to Denver from Los Angeles in 1992. She sang at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
[edit]
Grammy Awards
She has currently won 3 Grammy Awards for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" for her albums
2001 In the Moment
2002 The Calling
2003 A Little Moonlight
2006 Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
She is the only singer to have won this Grammy in three consecutive years.
[edit]
Discography
1977 - Welcome to My Love
1987 - Better Days
1988 - I Remember
1990 - Never Too Far
1991 - Dianne Reeves (same as Better Days)
1993 - Art & Survival
1994 - Quiet After the Storm
1996 - The Grand Encounter
1996 - Palo Alto Sessions
1997 - That Day
1997 - New Morning (live)
1999 - Bridges... produced by George Duke.
2000 - In The Moment (live)
2001 - The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
2002 - Best of Dianne Reeves
2003 - A Little Moonlight
2004 - Christmas Time is Here
2005 - Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
Gotta Be This Or That
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it ain't day, it's night
If you ain't sure, you might
Gotta be this or that
If it ain't dry, it's wet
If you ain''t got, you get
If it ain't gross, it's net
If it ain't sis, you can't miss
It's got to be your brother
Can't you see it's gotta be
One way or the other
If it ain't full, it's blank
If you don't spend, you bank
If it ain't Dee, it's Frank
Gotta be this or that
Dianne Reeves's song "Gotta Be This or That" is a playful tune with a message about the binary nature of life. The lyrics assert that everything in life comes with its opposite, and we have to choose between them. The first stanza sets up this contrast beautifully: "If you ain't wrong, you're right / If it ain't day, it's night / If you ain't sure, you might / Gotta be this or that." The implication is that there's no in-between or grey area. We have to take a stand, make a choice, and stick to it because everything is black or white.
The subsequent verses continue this theme of contrast, showing that life is full of opposing forces, such as wet and dry, gross and net, full and blank, spend and bank, and Dee and Frank. The lines, "If it ain't sis, you can't miss / It's got to be your brother" exemplify the idea that we have to choose between two options that are essentially the same. The song's upbeat tempo and Reeves's soulful voice are perfectly matched, making this philosophy feel more lighthearted than dogmatic.
In conclusion, "Gotta Be This or That" is a fun song that reminds us that choices are a part of life, and there's always another side to a situation. It's a song that celebrates the dualities and choices that come with life, and it does so in an entertaining way.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ain't wrong, you're right
Things are either correct or incorrect, there is no in-between
If it ain't day, it's night
Things are either light or dark, there is no gray area
If you ain't sure, you might
It's important to be decisive, uncertainty can lead to negative outcomes
Gotta be this or that
There are only two options to choose from and a choice must be made
If it ain't dry, it's wet
Things are either moisture-free or damp, there is no middle ground
If you ain't got, you get
Either you have something or you acquire it, there is no alternative
If it ain't gross, it's net
Things either have or don't have, there is no neutral ground
If it ain't sis, you can't miss
Recognizing that things that are similar are difficult to differentiate between
It's got to be your brother
Things that are in the same category are indistinguishable
Can't you see it's gotta be
This is an inescapable conclusion that everyone should be able to acknowledge
One way or the other
Regardless of what path is chosen, there will always be two options
If it ain't full, it's blank
Things are either complete or incomplete, there is no middle ground
If you don't spend, you bank
Either you use your money or you save it, there is no third option
If it ain't Dee, it's Frank
Both similarities and differences exist in everything
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SUNNY SKYLAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind